from me :: 2008 :: January :: http://frommeandmyhouse.com/blog-fromme

Winter Reading Challenge

Jan 30
2008

I just joined the Puritan Reading Challenge (see sidebar). And here I am joining another reading challenge. (Click image to learn about it and join for yourself. Some random participant will win a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate.)

I can’t help it. I am a bibliophile. I’d rather read than just about anything – except write sometimes. Yes, even rather than eat. Yes, I do skip many meals to get reading time. But, I’m not getting near as many books read as I’d like lately. I think some of that is due to reading too many emails that flood my inbox – and all its orderly sorting folders.

This winter I’ve made no resolutions or vows, not even to a Bible reading schedule, but I have told myself I want to write more, plan better lessons, spend more time with the children one on one, and read more. I should probably add – and sleep more – to that list, as I’ve not been getting enough sleep either (doing those things on that list that can only be done after children go to bed). But God has not increased my hours in the day, so I’m really not sure how I’ll do even one of those, let alone all of them. I don’t read that many emails that I can cut out. So I can only pray for grace to redeem the time that I have, to look for little moments that could be lost and use them for the best use I can.

What am I saying?! I’m already work driven. I never rest and "do nothing", and am usually multi-tasking. But irregardless I’m going to try – knowing that if I don’t complete them, nothing drastic will happen. I will know I’ve done my best, and I will have the joy of increased growth. This is nothing new I had to think about. This is the list I intended to work on before I ever heard of a possible $25 reward for posting about it.

So here is my list:

Selected chapters from Exodus, Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, Daniel, Ezra, and the whole book of Ruth (according to my Bible lesson planning)

Ephesians – with in-depth study and research

The Bruised Reed (for Puritan Reading Challenge)

They Mystery of Providence (for Puritan Reading Challenge)

The Godly Man’s Picture (for Puritan Reading Challenge – but not even intending on getting it finished before the 17th of March – perhaps half by then.)

A History of American Christianity – Leonard Woolsey Bacon (anyone know anything about this book? – again I’m working on a specific section of it)

Doctrines of Grace – James Montgomery Boice

Family Driven Faith – Voddie Baucham

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God – Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey (if I finally get it ordered)

I’m going to stop there. This is pretty ambitious and I still have to finish the books I am currently reading to the children, which include: (and when these are finished start new ones)

Building the Nation – Charles Coffin

Sketches from Church History

Guns of Thunder – Doug Bond (I’m guessing we’ll finish this and begin the next one in this series)

Mr. Pipes Comes to America – Doug Bond

Training Hearts, Teaching Minds – Starr Meade (we won’t finish this one until probably next year)

And parts of Bible Doctrine, Practical Religion, Democracy in America, Universal History in Perspective, Basic History of the United States, (is that all?) with my youth; as well as other books for planning lessons.

And someday I do really hope to finish:

Religious Affections – Jonathan Edwards

And no doubt there will be plenty of reading that will pop up between now and mid-March that may displace some of this.

I’ll let you know how it is going.

For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
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Trackback • Posted in Just 'from me'

Food Allergies

Jan 29
2008

There has been a great increase* in food allergies in recent history and many are linking them to additives and modifications to our food sources. "Scientifically" the jury is still out on some, but we don’t need an undeniable "scientific link" to know when our body functions and feels better and doesn’t.

In addition to food allergies, in which the immune system has an immediate response, there are also far more food sensitivities, when the bodily changes can happen more slowly.

How can you best avoid foods that cause allery or sensitivity responses?

"O’Brien recommends that people throw out their nonorganic, processed, genetically modified, artificially created, or hormone-laced food." Mercola.com

Frankly, that is a great start. Adulterated foods are usually the culprits, and their effects go far beyond immediate allergic reactions, and milder sensitivities. They tear down our health in many ways.

In addition to the chemical additives, (in both growing and producing,) other processes can be the culprit too. Pasteurization of milk renders many unable to tolerate it. Although even without pasteurization, cow’s milk is highly mucous producing and a tearer down of our health. Dairy is one of the top three food allergens. But some people with dairy allergies are able to tolerate raw dairy products far better then pasteurized.

Along with dairy products, wheat is another of the top 3 allergens. Many people who are unable to tolerate wheat are able to eat Kamut and Spelt (non-hybrids) without problems. But for some gluten, no matter how pure the form, is intolerable.

Soy is the other of the top 3 food allergens. I wonder with all the rap soy is taking if this is a plate of cooked soy beans, or all the modified soy food "products", that people are allergic too. Soy, as a cooked bean is rarely eaten in America. But soy products abound.

I still agree with "O’Brien" quoted above. Get a pure food source and see what happens in your body. If you still have problems, remove one (or all) of the top 3 offenders. In fact, even if you don’t suspect food allergies or "sensitivities" follow O’Brien’s advise anyhow. Your body will love you for it.

*note: hospitalizations for food allergies have increased 400% in the UK since 1990.

For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
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Trackback • Posted in Nutrition/ Recipes

Children ~ A Heritage

Jan 27
2008

How can children be so controversial, especially in Christian circles? It doesn’t seem to be so in Muslim circles, or Mormon circles, and it wasn’t in Christian circles prior to the mid-1900’s either. But it is today. So this post will no doubt be controversial. But I suppose most of mine are. They are just challenges to get you thinking, renewing your mind through God’s Word.

Over 18 years ago God changed our hearts in a way that changed our lives more than anything else besides our salvation itself. He placed within us a conviction and the faith to trust our childbearing to Him.

Those 18 years have brought us 6 more children here on earth, and 2 more gone before us. Had we not submitted to Him in this area, we don’t know if He would have "overrode" our decisions, or given us over to our "own desires", but there’s a pretty good chance that we would be "empty nesters" now, instead of having a home full of toddlers to teens.

I would be done home educating our children, instead of having at least 15 years left to go. I would have changed and sewn far less diapers, and spent far less time in the rocking chair nursing a wee one. And far less time trying to teach teens (and advise young adults) to reason biblically, rather than make foolish decisions.

I’d be cooking meals for 2 now, not 8. Hmm, actually I’d be cooking, instead of having the help of our dd 16yo, and ds 13yo, and ds 10yo, and dd 8yo. I’d be doing laundry 2 days a week instead of 6. Hmm, all the above mentioned do their own on the other days. I’d be reading, writing and teaching others that I may never see or know my influence on or their coming and going, through the internet, instead of my own children in my own home that I have daily for 18+ years to influence and guide in God’s ways.

Some of you may be saying, those would be good things. But I believe God says differently. His Word says children are a blessing, a heritage of the Lord. His Word says we are to be fruitful and multiply. His Word says He made us one flesh (through the marriage covenant) because He seeks "godly seed." He desires that we marry, have children, and keep our homes. Them are fighting words for some of you, but they are the words of our Lord and Creator.

I have a high calling, to raise all the children that He should choose to give us, without trying to interfere with His plans. To say God can do anything He wants, and if He wants to give us a child He will do it whether we are rebelling against Him or obedient to Him is itself an attitude of rebellion to God’s rule over our lives. To say God has no say so in how many children we have is even more so.

God will do what He wants. And every knee will bow. The question is will they bow in obedient, humble submission, or will they be forced to bow as God overrules their rebellion against Him?

In many areas we have not conformed to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. We are a work in progress, as all His children are. But in this area He has given grace that we can walk in humble submission to His plan for our lives.

If you want to read more of our personal journey in this lifestyle click here. I hope to also post more Scriptures and Biblical reasoning on this in the future.

For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
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Trackback • Posted in For the Family, Our Family

Is There Hope for America?

Jan 23
2008

Link to American Vision article on recent Focus on the Family broadcast with John MacArthur:

How Dr. Dobson [And YOU] Can Take a Risk for True Greatness

Trackback • Posted in For the Family

Introducing Voddie

Jan 16
2008

I may have mentioned something we’d come across by this man sometime last year, but today I want to do a little more comprehensive post. A little over a year ago we came across a pastor/writer/speaker who is speaking out on the Christian family. We’ve loved “running into” him in several places over the last year. We think you’ll enjoy him too. Many of these resources are free. Some are not, but once you read/listen to the free ones we think you’ll find the others worth the investment.

I think the first place we heard him was on Dennis Rainey’s Family Life Today radio show speaking on The Home is the Key. Shortly there after Kevin Swanson interviewed him on Generations, on Why the Southern Baptists are Losing 88% of the Next Generation. Then we read an article by him in Biblical Worldview magazine, Education: The Forgotten Key to Discipleship. I checked out his website where I ordered The Ever Loving Truth (of which there is a book by the same title) and I thought something else, but don’t see it at the moment.

Next I got The Centrality of the Home in Evangelism and Discipleship CD from the 2006 National Conference for Uniting Church and Family. We listened to him and Paul Washer answer questions, mainly from young people – Part 1 and Part 2. Recently I got the 2 messages that now comprise the Children of Caesar DVD set, from American Vision. And finally ordered the book, Family Driven Faith.

I’ve also found several short clips on YouTube, including Why I Believe the Bible. And links to several messages. And another blog that has a TON of links. (I haven’t checked them all out to make sure they are still there.

That should be enough links to introduce you to him. Hope you enjoy as much as I do.

For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
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Trackback • Posted in For the Family, Resources

There’s Still Time

Jan 15
2008

…to save 20-40% off all in stock items from Vision Forum.

WOW! Vision Forum writes, publishes and carries some of our favorite resources.

Click the banner below and order by Jan. 31st.

I’ll try to update this with a list of some of our favorites. But it is a LONG list!

UPDATE: Here’s just some favorite “family resources”. See our L.E.D. blog for some of our favorite “educational resources”. Some may still be cheaper through CBD, check through our search box below. I think all the individual CD’s we like are included in the sets listed below.

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

Family Man, Family Leader

Be Fruitful and Multiply

Family Renewal Library (8 CDs)

The Centrality of the Home in Evangelism and Discipleship (CD)

Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons & Daughters Who Walk with God

Proverbs for Parenting

Raising Maidens of Virtue

The Return of the Daughters

So Much More

Virtuous Daughters Collection (DVD, Book, and CD) – 36% off

Thoughts for Young Men

Rebuilding a Culture of Virtuous Boyhood (CD)

Preparing Sons to Provide for a Single-Income Family

Boys at Work Set (2 Books) – (includes Boyhood and Beyond) 33% off

Shepherding a Child’s Heart

S.M. Davis Family Rebuilders Library (8 CDs) – 40% off

The Wise Woman’s Guide to Blessing Her Husband’s Vision

Victorious Household Set (3 CDs)

Raising Godly Children (4 DVDs)

Mother and Home-Making Set (2 Books) – 50% off!

Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

The Heart of Anger

Patriarchy Made Simple Compact Disc Set (16 CDs) (pack of 2 different sets we like, including Raising a Family that Will Stand) – 33% off

Verses of Virtue and Poems for Patriarchs (2 Books) – 50% off

Fruit of the Gospel Set (7 Compact Discs) – 41% off

Uniting Church and Family Conference Album (10 CDs)

Church and Family Unity Series (9 CDs)

Always Ready

The 1599 Geneva Bible – 34% off

Theological Bootcamp Set (Vols. I & II) – 37% off

Christian Modesty Book & CD Set – 33% off

How to Think Like a Christian (CD)

The Annals of the World – 44% off

The Pilgrim’s Progress

Lamplighter Publishing Classic Reprints – click on The Children’s Hour

Colporteur Family Classics (24 Books) – 35% off

70-Volume G.A. Henty Library – 48% off

Complete R.M. Ballantyne Christian Adventure Library (10 Vols.) – 36% off

The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women (DVD)

Time Changer (DVD)

Treasures of the Snow (DVD)

WOW! Guess we do have and love a LOT of Vision Forum resources. And this list doesn’t include what would typically be in the “subjects” of education, just general family resources. But these two lists don’t include EVERYTHING there.

Enter titles you are interested in this search box to compare CBD’s prices. (You can change the search criteria to “title” instead of “keywords”.)